Azamara Journey

Azamara Journey was one of the line’s two founding ships when Azamara launched in 2007, and she set the tone for its style: small, sophisticated ships with more time in port and a relaxed dress code. As an R-class ship, she is intimate and easy to navigate, with cozy lounges, one main restaurant and two specialty restaurants for nights when you want something different. Overnights and late departures let you experience a city’s evenings. Journey has been refurbished several times to keep her cabins and public rooms fresh, and she sails a varied mix of itineraries from the Mediterranean to the Caribbean and South America.

Best for: Destination-focused travelers who want a small ship with plenty of evenings ashore and a relaxed, inclusive feel.

Azamara is an upscale small-ship line built around “destination immersion”: longer port stays, frequent overnights and late departures so you can see places in the evening. Its four ships carry around 700 guests, and fares include select drinks, gratuities and, on most longer voyages, a private evening event ashore. It suits well-traveled adults who want relaxed, port-focused cruising, less so families or entertainment seekers.